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Legal Spat Escalates: Justin Baldoni Uses Ryan Reynolds’ “Blood” Remark in Court Filing
The ongoing legal confrontation between Justin Baldoni and Ryan Reynolds has taken a dramatic turn, with Baldoni’s legal team invoking a past statement from Reynolds about drinking the “blood” of his “enemies.” This quote was included in a recent court submission as part of Baldoni’s defense, amidst a lawsuit involving Blake Lively and allegations of sexual harassment and defamation. The legal teams are currently battling over a motion to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit, filed in response to prior legal actions initiated by Lively.
Reynolds’ Quote Central to Baldoni’s Defense
According to legal documents obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, April 3rd, Baldoni’s attorneys referenced a remark Reynolds reportedly made on July 12, 2024. The court filing quotes Reynolds, age 48, stating, “I’ve realized that I’m too big to fail at this point, so I just crush my enemies and drink their Blood.”
Baldoni, aged 41, and his legal representatives are contesting Reynolds’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit Baldoni initiated on March 18th. They argue that Reynolds acted as a conspirator alongside his wife, Blake Lively, 37, who had previously filed a lawsuit in December 2024. Lively’s suit accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign, accusations which Baldoni firmly denies.
Counter-Suits and Legal Maneuvering
In December, Baldoni also initiated a defamation suit against Lively, seeking $400 million in damages, and included Reynolds in the filing. Reynolds is now seeking to have these claims against him dismissed. Both Reynolds and Lively have denied all accusations directed at them.
Baldoni’s legal team stated in the documents that Reynolds “pretends that the Wayfarer Parties’ First Amended Complaint (the ‘FAC’) fails to present grounds for his accountability and that he merely acted as a supportive spouse. This is inaccurate.”
The filing further asserted: “The FAC explicitly details sufficient evidence to support the Wayfarer Parties’ claims against him, based both on his direct actions and his culpability as a co-conspirator.”
Reynolds’ Spokesperson Responds
A representative for Reynolds provided a statement to Us Weekly addressing the latest court documents.
“The primary conclusion to draw from the Wayfarer Parties’ resistance to Ryan’s motion to dismiss their case is their belated acknowledgment of the evident flaws in their complaint,” the statement declared. “They are again alleging defamation without specifying who was defamed, what was precisely stated, or how anyone endured actual harm.”
The statement concluded: “Unlike Mr. Baldoni, who has cultivated his image as a man ‘confident enough to listen’ to women, Ryan Reynolds genuinely embodies this quality and will continue to support his wife as she confronts individuals who not only harassed her but subsequently retaliated against her. Under legal precedent in New York, California, and every jurisdiction in the United States, this lawsuit is not only without merit but could obligate the Wayfarer Parties to cover Ryan’s legal expenses for initiating such a baseless case.”
Background of the Dispute
The discord between Baldoni and Lively originated during their collaboration on It Ends With Us, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s popular novel. Following speculation of tension during the film’s promotion in July 2024, Lively publicly confirmed animosity between herself and Baldoni, her co-star and director, accusing him of sexual harassment and initiating a smear campaign.
Baldoni refuted these accusations and subsequently launched his $400 million lawsuit against Lively, Reynolds, and Lively’s publicist. Lively and Reynolds have both submitted legal filings to dismiss Baldoni’s lawsuit, while Lively’s publicist has requested to be removed from the legal action.